Kaya and Adheer sat in silence inside the car, the weight of unspoken words pressing down on them. Kaya's gaze was fixed on the passing scenery outside, tears slipping silently down her cheeks.
Adheer wanted to speak, to break the quiet, but the right words eluded him. Meanwhile, Kaya's mind raced, filled with anxious thoughts—she had married a man she barely knew. Who was he really? What kind of family did he have?
(Jaisa bhi hai, aapka hi hai 🥱)
Fear gnawed at her heart. What if he was cruel like her stepmother? What if he tortured her, struck her, or refused her even the simplest meal? Each passing moment in the car seemed to stretch the shadow of misery over her future.
When they finally reached the palace, the driver opened the car door for Adheer. But he stepped out himself and walked to Kaya's side.
With quiet grace, he extended his hand to her, a gentle, courteous gesture, an invitation into his world. His eyes met hers as he helped her step out, a silent connection forming in that fleeting, tender moment.
A fleeting spark of connection lingered between them, a moment suspended in time, delicate and unspoken.
Suddenly, a loud chorus erupted from the palace's main gate:
"Welcome, Bhabhi sa!" – Adheer's cousins and siblings shouted in unison, having orchestrated a grand, joyous welcome for Kaya.
Then, fireworks erupted across Udaipur's skyline, painting the evening with dazzling colors, illuminating the night in celebration. The entire atmosphere seemed set ablaze with joy, as if even the stars had descended to witness Kaya's homecoming.
The palace gates, once formal and imposing, now swung open wide, embracing Kaya with warmth, love, and magic—the essence of family.
Tears welled up and flowed freely as she witnessed the affection surrounding her.
When Yuvraj cheekily exclaimed, "Bhabhi sa, jaldi grehpravesh kijiye aur humre Bhai sabko apni ungliyo par nachaiye," Kaya's tears only intensified. Everyone immediately scolded him.
Suhani tugged at his ears, scolding, "The child hasn't even entered the house yet, and already he's made her cry!"
On the other side, Adheer's stern gaze warned Yuvraj silently, while Pihu came to Kaya's side, gently wiping away her tears.
"Bhabhi, don't pay attention to his nonsense. He's just a little crazy," Pihu whispered softly.
Even Adheer, in his own quiet, steady way, reached out to console her, his protective presence a silent comfort amidst the chaos.
Yuvraj ran up to her, his little face anxious, and began apologizing earnestly:
"Bhabhi sa, please forgive me! I was just joking—I didn't know you'd start crying."
Through her tears, Kaya whispered softly, "No…"
"You mean… you won't forgive me?" he asked, shock written all over his face.
She wiped her tears and smiled faintly, "No… that's not why I'm crying."
Faces all around her softened with love and concern, as someone asked gently, "Then why are you crying?"
Kaya stammered, voice trembling and eyes glistening with emotion:
"Mere se aaj tak, kisi ne bhi mujhse itne pyar se baat nahi ki… 🥺 Hamesha sirf daanta aur maara jata tha…"
("No one has ever spoken to me with so much love… until today. I was only ever scolded or punished.")
Moved, Adheer's mother pulled her into a warm embrace. Her lips brushed gently against Kaya's forehead, love radiating from her eyes. Then, turning to her with a voice soft and full of delight, she whispered:
"My child… from this moment on, you are not just our bahu, but our daughter too. You are no longer only Adheer's love; you are the heart of our family. We will cherish, support, and adore you as one of our own, loving you equally alongside Adheer and our other children, forever as one."
Then Adheer's grandmother, Kalyani, chuckled warmly and said, "Today, we also have to do the bride's housewarming ceremony—or do we just want to spend the day gossiping with our new bahu?"
The entire family escorted Kaya to the main gate of the palace. Adheer's mother, Surekha, then went inside and returned with an aarti plate, performing the ceremonial aarti for both of them.
A servant stepped forward, carrying a white cloth, which he carefully spread across the ground. Adheer's grandmother instructed gently, "Child, first step onto the kalash (sacred pot) with your foot, then place your foot on the alta (vermilion) plate, and finally, step onto this white cloth as you enter the house."
Suhani, Adheer's younger aunt, interjected curiously, "Mother, aren't we going to perform that ritual?"
The children of the house shouted in excitement, "Which ritual? What ritual are you talking about?"
Dadi smiled lovingly at the curious youngsters and explained, "In this ritual, the groom must recognize his bride. Among many women who resemble her, he must prove the true depth of his love. By identifying his beloved, he affirms the divine strength of their bond, showing that their love is pure and true, like the celestial light of Shiv and Parvati." ❤️
Manisha, Adheer's chacha, spoke gently, calming the moment: "Maa sa( Mom), they've only just met… there's no need to rush this test. They don't even know each other yet." His soft tone wrapped around Dadi's words, letting the love between them unfold naturally, like the petals of a rose opening in bloom.
Adheer's eyes found Kaya's, shining with the pure light of devotion and promise. With unwavering certainty, he declared, "We will definitely perform this ritual tonight."
His voice carried the weight of heartfelt emotion, a vow to cherish and protect, as he gazed at Kaya, his soulmate, his eyes silently whispering, "Forever yours."
Thanks for reading the chapter 😊❤️.
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